Asbestos Control Programs Effective: September 2000 Vice-President, Finance and Administration Applicable Legislation: Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA), R.S.O. 1990 O.Reg 837, R.R.O. 1990, Designated Substance-Asbestos O. Reg 838, R.R.O. 1990, Designated Substance-Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 347/90 Relevant Standards: Construction Health and Safety Manual, Construction Safety Association of Ontario. Intent: To reference statutory and University requirements for asbestos control programs. Definitions: asbestos asbestosis designated substance employer friable material any of the following fibrous silicates: actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, or tremolite. a degenerative disease of the lungs. a biological, chemical or physical agent or combination thereof prescribed as a designated substance to which the exposure of a worker is prohibited, regulated, restricted, limited or controlled. a person who employs one or more workers or contracts for the services of one or more workers and includes a contractor or subcontractor who performs work or supplies services and a contractor or subcontractor who undertakes with the owner, constructor, contractor or subcontractor to perform work or supply services. material that when dry can be crumbled, pulverized or powdered by hand pressure and includes such material that is crumbled, pulverized, or powdered. Page 1 of 5
mesothelioma owner Type 1 operation Type 2 operation Type 3 operation an asbestos-related cancer of the chest and /or abdomen with diagnostic signs and symptoms similar to pleurisy. includes a trustee, receiver, mortgagee in possession, tenant, lessee, or occupier of any lands or premises used or to be used as a workplace, and a person who acts for or on behalf of an owner or as an agent or delegate. generally presents little hazard to workers or bystanders. may create exposure exceeding acceptable limits but work is of short duration. major exposures, exceeding acceptable limits, involving frequent or prolonged exposure, and posing serious risks to both workers and to bystanders. Requirements of Regulation 837 3.(1)(c)(i) This Regulation applies to every employer engaged in the repair, alteration or maintenance of machinery, equipment,...,and to those workers of such an employer who are likely to inhale or ingest asbestos. 7.(1) Where the assessment discloses that a worker is likely to inhale or ingest asbestos and that the health of the worker may be affected thereby, the employer shall develop, establish, put into effect and maintain measures and procedures to control the exposure of the worker to asbestos and shall incorporate the same into an asbestos control program. Requirements of Regulation 838 2.(1) The Regulation applies to, (a) (b) (c) (d) every project and the owner thereof, and to every constructor, employer and worker engaged in or on the project; the repair, alteration or maintenance of a building and to the owner thereof, and to every employer and worker engaged in such a repair; every building in which friable material that may contain asbestos has been used as fire proofing or as insulation and to the owner thereof; the demolition of machinery, equipment,...,and to every employer and worker engaged in such a demolition. Page 2 of 5
4.(1) The demolition of machinery or equipment or of a building,...shall be carried out or continued only when all friable material containing asbestos that may be disturbed during the course of the work has been removed to the extent practicable. Policy: 1. The University shall have written, site-specific, Asbestos Control Programs at any campus or research station where friable material containing asbestos has been used in building construction. Such programs shall comply with Ontario Regulation 837, R.R.O. 1990, and O. Reg. 838, R.R.O. 1990. 2. Deans and/or Directors shall be responsible for establishing the required Asbestos Control Program at their facilities (as summarized in the Guidelines below). 3. The site-specific Asbestos Control Program documentation shall be copied to the appropriate Joint Health and Safety Committee and to Environmental Health and Safety. 4. The written Asbestos Control Program shall be reviewed annually by the workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee. 5. University personnel involved with asbestos operations shall be trained in asbestos management/abatement procedures. The names of the trained persons shall be maintained in the Asbestos Control Program document. Guidelines: Asbestos, a designated substance since 1982, is a family of fibrous silicate minerals that occur naturally. The health hazards associated with asbestos depend on the type and dimensions of the fibres and the way in which the asbestos is used. Because asbestos can withstand high temperatures and corrosive chemicals, it was once widely used as an insulating and fire-proofing substance. Since it is now known to be a recognized carcinogen, this use has declined since the early 1970's. Many buildings constructed between 1930 and 1975 still contain asbestos that may release airborne fibres when disturbed. This constitutes a potential health concern for anyone exposed. Heavy occupational exposure to air-borne respirable asbestos fibres can lead to three diseases: asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. There is no substantial evidence that ingesting asbestos fibres can cause disease. Research evidence indicates that the dangerous air-borne fibres are those longer than 5 to 8 microns and thinner than 1.5 microns, which can deposit in the alveoli of the lungs. The durability of the fibre affects its persistence in the lung which in turn relates to the risk of respiratory disease. When the body's normal Page 3 of 5
lung clearance mechanisms are overwhelmed or impaired by smoking, disease may develop over a latency period of 15 to 45 years. Respirable and durable fibres are primarily an occupational risk rather than an environmental risk. The risk to the general population from environmental levels of asbestos fibres in air (e.g. in a typical building containing asbestos insulation) and in water, and from asbestos products (where the fibres are bound) are considered to be negligible. In occupational settings, asbestos-removal workers and maintenance workers are at greater risk from any respirable dust which may be released during their work. Measures such as special job-site enclosures, dedicated clothing, respirators and hygiene procedures are needed to protect workers (hence building occupants) from exposure to the dust created by asbestos disturbance or removal activities. These are important reasons for an Asbestos Control Program in any workplace where there is friable or crumbly fibrous asbestos insulation. Physical Resources at the University of Guelph has an established Asbestos Management Control Program. The program document is available from the EHS web site: www.uoguelph.ca/hr/ehs/asbestos.htm and is available upon request from the Asbestos Co-ordinator, extension 54023. The document outlines regulatory requirements for asbestos management including asbestos surveys, records of asbestos locations, and detailed safe removal procedures. Management personnel at the Regional Colleges and Research Stations may consult the Asbestos Co-ordinator for advice about their own Asbestos Control Programs. Elements of an Asbestos Control Program The following are elements of an Asbestos Control Program that must be documented: a) a survey to identify all locations of concern and to determine asbestos type; b) the up-to-date record of all locations where friable material exists; c) a system to notify all University employees and contractors who may disturb asbestos- containing materials about the potential asbestos risks; d) procedures to implement Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 operations as appropriate for maintenance, restoration, and renovation work by employees or contractors; e) periodic inspections of friable materials to reassess conditions and the need for environmental sampling and remedial actions; f) training and orientation programs for employees and contractors; g) the names of all persons trained and the dates of the training provided; Page 4 of 5
h) an outline of any requirement for a medical surveillance program for asbestos workers.(consult Occupational Health Services, extension 2133.); i) workplace safety requirements, hygiene procedures, and personal protective equipment (e.g. disposable coveralls, respirators); j) asbestos incident reporting procedures; k) asbestos containment and disposal instructions. The off-site disposal of asbestos waste is governed by the Environmental Protection Act. Some municipalities may not accept asbestos waste at their landfill sites. Guidance may be obtained from the local office of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and from the Asbestos Co-ordinator. Asbestos is one of eleven Designated Substances regulated by the Ministry of Labour. For more information on regulations concerning designated substances, please refer to Safety Policy 851.08.11 concerning Designated Substances. Also see Safety Policy 851.08.14 concerning Hazardous Waste Management. Last updated June 2004 Page 5 of 5